Kali had taken Misha to the shore, giving a wave to Carrhae and a quick farewell to Syltra as she flew over their heads. "I kinda lied, it's not gonna be quick, I just wanted to talk about somethin'." She mentions to the Acheronian while they keep walking further down the shoreline, away from the crew. "Could be quick, if you wanted it to be, I know you have tannin' to work on." She gives a short laugh and kicks at the sand with her foot, turning back to see how far they were from the others. They were still visible, just as small specks, and definitely couldn't hear them unless someone was snooping about. The hybrid shrugs at the thought before planting her butt in the sand, patting the spot next to it to invite Misha to sit next to her.
When Misha sits, she starts. "So... About that trip to Acheron... I was actually there right?" She sounded genuinely unsure. "When I think about it the memory is so foggy, kinda like it was a dream, but... Not, a-and I remember that guy, Ti... Mister T, or something, touch my temple, and I saw some shit. It felt all like a really weird trip. I mean, it was okay, really, since you were there, you made it okay, but could you... elaborate on that? What that was? I think you and Carrhae talked about it? But I had no ****in' idea what you two were goin' on about. A-and what that scientist dude said about me." Kali turned to Misha, a mixture of confusion apparent on her face. "Please?"
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Aeydof the Dragons || Wood Elf / Way of the Ascendant Dragon Monk Demetrios Zalaoras || Protector Aasimar / Paladin of Torm Hawke || Kalashtar / Circle of the Moon Druid Morticia || Half-Aasimar Rogue Yvan || Goliath / Path of the Wild Soul Barbarian | Paladin of Helm /ᐠ。ꞈ。ᐟ\
When Sloop comes out of the water Wolf cannot help but stare at the young man. Leaning over a whispering to Sana he says, "Is it just me...or has Sloop done some serious growing. I swear he wasn't that handsome a couple months ago." Knowing the wink wasn't for him Wolf cannot help but feel a blush creep over his face as his tail start to wag.
Misha was quiet the whole time Kali spoke. The sand was hot, the water a pleasant temperature. Being with Kali relaxed Misha, and she looked at her and smiled as she requested information on the day of her promotion. If only Misha had all the answers. She sat down close, next to her, and stared out into the ocean trying to explain it to her. She could feel the sun bathe her chest, her stomach, and she leaned back a bit, propped up in her hands.
"Yes, you were there. I know eet was probably a lot to take een." she smiled. "But, yes, it was all real. You saw my world, you were part of ritual - a promotion. You probably saw many small samples in your mind of what was, and what might be." she explained, "Taetanicus is a powerful man, a man of great wisdom. He ees the closest thing I have to a father. Part of promotion ees inhaling the Incense. The Incense of Vision is a tradition among my people during a promotion of a Prime." she said. "It's one reason why Taetanicus ees able to have a..geeft of foresight. Primes are able to parteeceepate as well, not just Legion Commanders. The smoke is ancient, used on leaders of my world. I know not where eet comes from, but once inhaled, eet interacts weeth mind of Acheronian - so sometimes are able to..see theengs." she waves her hand in the air, as if gesturing towards the future. "It should not affect you directly after the day you were there, but..for me..ees deefrent. To Acheronian Commanders, it helps us..react to future, to whatever the smoke shows us. Sometimes we see good, sometimes..we see bad. Eet ees a way to..prepare. Eet was the way we were able to prophesize war weeth Hell."
Misha wanted to tell Kali about the vision she had last night but decided not to. Misha hid her concern. The smoke, wrapped around her brain, was beginning to work it's properties on her, and what she saw was concerning. It was not a good future of Acheron she was seeing, but a bad one. A very bad one. Perhaps this was what Taetanicus wanted her to see. But what scared Misha the most was that the forecoming return of Praxia the Betrayer would mean the death of her world. Instead, she said something else.
"You are special to me." she admitted. "Eet ees not common for my people to love one another, we more act like brothers and sisters - like how I see rest of crew. But you are deefrent to me. My heart pounds eenside chest when I see you, close to you. You are my Zhelaniye - my desire." she looked down and giggled at the sand, unbelievably shy, and she couldn't understand why.
While Misha was talking, Kali brought her knees closer to her chest, resting her chin on it while she stared out into the ocean and simply listened. Her visit was very much real and she met Taetanicus and helped Misha get promoted. How or why he allowed an outsider to do such a thing would be a question that would linger at the back of her mind for a while. Maybe he liked her? Kali inwardly laughed at her joke, a small smile tugged at her lips but fell soon after the paladin had finished. "I am pretty special," She quips with a chuckle before stealing a quick glance at the red-head. "I guess you could say I feel the same about you, red." A soft smile could be seen forming on her lips as she stretches her legs out, planting her hands behind her back to help prop herself up (if Misha's hand was placed on the sand, she would purposefully put her hand over it). "Probably so interested in me because I'm different from what you've seen, yeah? No other blue tentacle spoutin' cyclopes that caught your attention in the other missions you've been on? ... There anyone else you've been with that I should watch out for? Don't want a crazy ex to come and jump me, you know?"
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Aeydof the Dragons || Wood Elf / Way of the Ascendant Dragon Monk Demetrios Zalaoras || Protector Aasimar / Paladin of Torm Hawke || Kalashtar / Circle of the Moon Druid Morticia || Half-Aasimar Rogue Yvan || Goliath / Path of the Wild Soul Barbarian | Paladin of Helm /ᐠ。ꞈ。ᐟ\
Misha felt Kali's hand on hers, and her fingers intertwined with Kali's. Kali had a sense of humor Misha enjoyed, and she laughed at the notion of her words. "Yes, Zhelaniye, you are very deefrent than what I am used to. I theenk that ees why..I like you very much."
Suddenly, she had a moment of guilt, it was brief but it was there in her heart. Another time, another place, there was Natasha. What did she used to call her? Sunflower?
Natasha..
Misha held Kali's hand tighter, swallowed hard and tried to hide the fact her heart swelled with affection remembering a time long ago, and things that could of been. She returned to the present, felt the warmth and grip of Kali's hand, and he heart refocused on what she had now, and the potential of today, of the blue muscular beautiful sitting next to her. Again, her heart began to pound.
"No," she finally said. "No crazy..ex." she strained, smiling at Kali, hoping she used the unfamiliar word in reply.
Sana glances at Sloop and laughs briefly. "I suppose you could say so," she agrees with Wolf. "He's still pretty young, though. But good luck if you're interested!" She winks and sets off for the beach, looking for Chandor, resolving that she's going to find out what's going on with the quiet ranger this time.
Wolf goes to say something about only being three years older but Sana is already gone before the words are out of his mouth. He stands there for a few minutes deciding if this tree is worth barking up. Eventually landing on its at least worth a yap or two and if no interest no foul. Wolf walks over and tells Sloop. “Just because we’re on vacation doesn’t mean the chief or the assistant are off. Get ready I’m going to teach you how to BBQ some and at least some basic drinks mixed.”
As everyone goes off to do their own thing, Carrhae just flips over, applies some of Misha's lotion on her, rests her head on her hands, and takes a nap. As she sleeps, she has a rather pleasant dream about Misha telling the crew about MacCabbee's and all of them getting something called a burger that sounded absolutely fattening. Carrhae also snored, but fortunately none of her crew was there to hear, as they were either flying high, trying to chat up someone they were interested in, or having a romantic conversation while she was alone.
After Misha had answered, Kali laid her head on the others shoulder, taking a few minutes to enjoy her company with the sounds of crashing waves in the back. It felt like forever since the last time they had a moment alone to themselves to just enjoy each others presence. Either someone would interrupt or they would be caught up doing something for the ship or heading out on a mission with the crew, the two seldom had moments alone that weren't them pouncing on one another to the point of exhaustion. Talking like this? It was... nice. Something different from the norm and Kali wished they had more times like these. She would abuse this moment for as long as she could til she would return back to the others and maybe have a bonfire of sorts.
But now wasn't the time for future thinking.
She heard the swallow, felt the tightening grip on her hand, and paid attention to how it took Misha a moment to finally give her an answer. "So, what was her name?" She asks nonchalantly, resting her head on Misha's shoulder. "...What was she like?"
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Aeydof the Dragons || Wood Elf / Way of the Ascendant Dragon Monk Demetrios Zalaoras || Protector Aasimar / Paladin of Torm Hawke || Kalashtar / Circle of the Moon Druid Morticia || Half-Aasimar Rogue Yvan || Goliath / Path of the Wild Soul Barbarian | Paladin of Helm /ᐠ。ꞈ。ᐟ\
It was a combination of two things, the gentle loving conversation with Kali - how she rested her head on her round shoulder, and thinking back to her second mission on a world called Atlas. It was a while before she spoke again, savoring the memory and the feelings it made her remember. "Natasha." Misha whispered, almost to herself. She opened her eyes and stared at the ocean as she spoke. The memories lingered in her mind, as if it was yesterday. Misha remembered fondly the memories she could, like a mental collage of dreams.
Natasha looked over to the red headed woman, a confused look coming across her features as she spoke, taking definite note of her foreign accent. Fire skies, red clouds... huh? Why was she looking at me—
"No, am hitting small lizard creatures! Am simply compliment! Cheeks are red like sky back home!"
She runs over to Natasha and does her best to deflect the incoming bomb explosion with her shield. She then heaves her hammer at the closest kobold. "Danger in all directions, little sunflower, but not worry, Misha have big shield!"
Misha ran over to Natasha, looked her over quickly. "Do not worry, sunflower, by the Will of Bane you shall be healed to continue fighting. Do not be scared. Hold still, little one.." Misha planted her shield into the ground quickly, and her hands began to glow red and vibrant. She closed her eyes and placed her hands on Natasha's shoulders, healing her.
Natasha groaned in pain at the paladin's touch as the healing at first stung, then slowly felt pretty good. At least now the ranger was better than before, and not at all dead. Green eyes glanced over to meet with Misha's. "I... T-thank you, Misha, you... You didn't have to do that." As she was helped up, Natasha' picked up and holstered her bow, grabbing her handaxe from her tool belt. "M-my name is Natasha, by the way."
Misha’s eyes went a bit wide. "Natasha! A beautiful name. It is honor to fight with you. When battle over, tell me secret about how to get curls like ones of your hair. But first, we fight!!” She lets out a laugh that would make anyone smile.
Looking over the others, Misha was pleased to see everyone was ok, despite the grim tone of the healer. She took a moment to kneel by Natasha. “Are you alright, little sunflower? Here will be safe, no worry. Your wounds are healed, and we make new friends! Come, soon, I wish to buy you drink!”
She helped Natasha collect arrows, noticing how tired she was. "Today you did well, little kitten! Come, I see you have a bit tired - can see it in eyes. It's ok. Here, I help you. Rest. When you feel better with more vigor we can have drink, and maybe talk more, ya? Misha always be here." She brushed Natasha's cheek with her hand, reassuring her everything would be ok.
Lost of the memories of the past, a large gentle wave brought Misha back to the present.
"She was beautiful." Misha breathed. "Shy, her eyes green, full of wonder and hope. She was sweet and affectionate. She was healthy, had curves that would make my heart leap into my throat. Her hair was curly, long, very long, and color..like..sunset, here, on thees world. Ees one reason why I always watch sun go down, because I remember her each time - good, pleasant memories. Unfortunately, Acheron call me back to home, mission on Atlas cut short, and I had to say goodbye."
Her father lifted her into the night sky. On other worlds, the vision above would be a velvet-black sky, the cold white light of ten thousand stars, or the glorious beauty of a star system. But she is Acheronian, and the sky is not dark and star-studded, it glows with the swirling, lurid bruise of the Eye of Hell that stares back down like a cyclops' orb. The only twinkle comes not from stars, but reflected starlight catching the metal from the War Machines down far below. She started to tense. Sometimes the eye is purple, sometimes green, sometimes darker patches of unnamed color. Her father's voice brought her back.
"That,"the father said, "is the Eye of Hell. The gateway of our enemy,"he hissed. "We are the first line of defense that keeps them at bay. That is why they hate us." "All of us?" the girl asked. "All"he says. There was a long pause as she stared upwards. "Even the Primes?" "Yes,"he told her. "Even the Primes." There was a pause. She tasted blood in her throat. She wiped her nose and her finger came away smeared with red. She couldn't stop staring into the Eye even though she felt sick. She knows this is a test that she must pass, and she will not give up. "Does he hate me?" she asked, sniffing the blood back. "Yes. Asmodeus hates you." There is another pause. "He wants to take our world from us?" His voice was close to her ear. She could feel the breath of his words on her skin and in the tangled curls of her red hair. He was passing on what he learned as a child. "Asmodeus wants our world to burn." Vomit rose in her throat. She swallowed the bile back, and stared deep into the darkest pits of the iris as if looking for a face there, a being to whom she could address her words. At first she saw nothing but then - there! - in the darkest patches of purple light, there was a plume of red clouds. "What do you see?"Taetanicus demanded, but she could not speak as she gasped for breath. His fingers were tight. "Speak, child. Have faith! Bane protects!" The breath came with a sudden shock as blood begins to drip from her nostrils. "A face!" she said, her voice beginning to break with fear. She squirmed for a moment. She wanted this to stop, but his hands were firm on her arms and he held her up a little longer. "That is Asmodeus!"he tells her, symbolizing, and lifts her higher into the air. "What do you want to say to him, who hates us all and wants to burn our world?" Blood began to pour from her nostrils. She would not look away. She would not give up. "Never," she says. "I cannot hear you." "Never!" she says, louder this time. "Tell him!" The child shouted up into the night sky. "Never!Never!" The father brought his daughter down and held her tight against the chest sections of his massive battle armor. "Well done, child."he said, and felt relief. It was not easy to expose a child to such things. He watched his daughter walk back into Banehold. He was Legion Commander Taetanicus, Lord of the Primes, and a father - so to speak. He had done his duty.
As Carrhae's nap continued, she had more dreams. She dreamt of a young girl, who couldn't be more than 16. She was pale, skinny, and dressed in black, but still pretty. The girl was wandering alone under a moonlight sky, carrying a sword covered in ice. Occasionally the girl would get attacked by undead, or goblins, or some other monster that enjoyed attacking travelers on the road, but she was able to fight them all off. Her dream ended as she saw the girl approach a tower where a small army was camping out. It looked like it was going to rain.
Her other dream was that she was being attacked by a kraken, but instead of trying to eat her, it was content to simply tickle her with it's tentacles. She woke up in a start, swinging a sword that she didn't have. And she was now incredibly curious. Who was the pale girl? Why did she dream about her? Where was the tower? And why did she dream about getting tickled by a kraken? It's been weeks since the last time I got high, so that can't be the cause of the dreams.
She decided to find Misha, since she was having dreams that carried some form of importance lately. Maybe she could help her understand the cause of her dreams. Well, the one about the pale girl, anyway.
The way Misha had said her ex's name so softly, as if it were taboo to speak of her, caused a somber smile to form on Kali's face. She paid attention to Misha's tone of voice when she finally talked about her, how she described her, how she still remembers her, and how, even now, there was still love laced within her words when speaking of her. Kali wondered, just for a moment, that when she is sent off again for another mission for her world and asked of this question, would she be described the same way? With love still swelling in Misha's heart. "When you go... Will you look out at the oceans of the different planes and worlds and remember me?" The inquiry fell out so naturally past her lips, as if it was a question that she needed to be answered. Normally she wouldn't bother with a question like that, she gave up shit like this years ago, but Misha was different, special in the hybrids eyes. She would take it back, but she says nothing further, only giving Misha's hand a gentle squeeze while she waits for her answer.
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Aeydof the Dragons || Wood Elf / Way of the Ascendant Dragon Monk Demetrios Zalaoras || Protector Aasimar / Paladin of Torm Hawke || Kalashtar / Circle of the Moon Druid Morticia || Half-Aasimar Rogue Yvan || Goliath / Path of the Wild Soul Barbarian | Paladin of Helm /ᐠ。ꞈ。ᐟ\
"They say that," she explained, "those that share the Incense of Vision ceremony sometimes share memories between the parteeceepants, so not only weel I remember you, YOU will also remember me. You weel always be a part of me, now, and I, a part of you."
Her stomach tightened in desire for Kali, and even though they were alone on the beach half naked, Misha felt like they still couldn't get further away from everything to be alone.
Kali drew comfort from Misha's words, falling silent once again to enjoy the sound of the waves lapping at the shore and the sight of the sun ever so slowly dipping past the horizon. They stayed like that for just a few minutes longer until the hybrid lifted her head from Misha's shoulder, eyeing the red head closely and noted at how the setting sun had accented her facial features, and when she turns to look at Kali, perhaps to ask why she pulled away, there was no hesitating from the barbarian in pulling her into a soft kiss. It was a peck, gentle, sweet, but filled with the love Kali had gown for her the past months they've been together. She kissed her again, and again, each one slowly increasing in intensity before Kali finally pressed her free hand on the others shoulder to push her back on the sand and climb on her, connecting their lips once again, but this time in passion, desire, and need. She didn't pull away this time.
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Aeydof the Dragons || Wood Elf / Way of the Ascendant Dragon Monk Demetrios Zalaoras || Protector Aasimar / Paladin of Torm Hawke || Kalashtar / Circle of the Moon Druid Morticia || Half-Aasimar Rogue Yvan || Goliath / Path of the Wild Soul Barbarian | Paladin of Helm /ᐠ。ꞈ。ᐟ\
Carrhae found Misha with Kali, appearing to be in the middle of a conversation. She waited from a distance until it seemed like they had finished speaking and making out before approaching the two.
"Hello. I'm sorry if I'm intruding on the two of you, but I had a rather strange dream and I think you might be able to help me Misha, since you had an odd dream of your own rather recently, if I recall correctly. I dreamt that I saw a young girl that I had never saw before. She was pale, thin, and dressed all in black. She had a sword coated in ice that she used to slay all sorts of monsters with and she was wandering in the night until she came to some tower that had a small army around it. Do you know what the meaning of this might be? Has she appeared in your dreams or one of the Acheronian prophecies?"
Carrhae sits down as she waits for Misha's response, extending her feet towards Kali. "Could I ask you to massage my feet? I could massage yours while you do so, if you like. And Misha can tell you about how good I am as a masseuse."
As she leaned away, Misha slowly turned to look at Kali, and her heart wanted to explode out of her chest as Kali leaned in and kissed her. The feeling of her face so close to Misha's and their lips pressing against each other caused a surge of pleasure in her body, and Misha hoped she would kiss her again. And, she did. Despite Kali's ferocity in battle, the hybrid was a wonderful kisser. A fire unlike anything Acheron had seen threatened to erupt from Misha's loins, and this particular moment in time could have lasted forever as far as she was concerned. Kali laid on her, and the sensation of their hands roaming and petting their bodies caused Misha to moan Kali's name in her mouth as they explored their mouths with their t-
Misha could feel someone watching, and slowly turned her head.
Sloop nods in excitement about Wolf's offer of teaching him how to BBQ and make some mixed drinks. "My mum has always been the cook in our household, and she always shooed us kids out of the kitchen when we offered to help, so I don't even know how to make burnt toast! Can I hold off for a couple hours, though? I've got an errand I need to run in the local town."
And with that, Sloop ambles off to his hammock, picks up a large bag of gold, and runs off into the island.
Returning a few hours later, he has a strange skip in his step, and he's whistling away like he just had the best day of his young life. His clothes are all ruffled up, and there are lipstick kiss marks all over his fur. As he boards the Belle, you notice that his usual rapier + dagger combo has been replaced by two rapiers, tucked neatly away in their scabbards.
After dropping off all his equipment by his hammock, he joins Wolf up on the main deck of the Belle, eager for his cooking and drink mixology lesson.
Once they make landfall, Syltra decides to fly off to one of the verdant mountains and communes with the spirits present there.
DM - Storm King's Thunder PbP | Yet Another Storm King's Thunder PbP
Current: Eogard Duramastar, Human Twilight Cleric/Star Druid | Eiren Lathrana, Shadar-Kai Eldritch Knight/Bladesinger | Arugula, Rabbitfolk Armorer
Survivor: CrispyDM's Saltmarsh as Syltra | SarcasticFury's Strahd as Hadrian Frozenspark | Forge of Fury as The DM
Carrhae simply lies on the beach and takes in the sun.
Xenophon: Topaz Dragonborn Fighter (ixi's Dragon of Icespire Peak)
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Kali had taken Misha to the shore, giving a wave to Carrhae and a quick farewell to Syltra as she flew over their heads. "I kinda lied, it's not gonna be quick, I just wanted to talk about somethin'." She mentions to the Acheronian while they keep walking further down the shoreline, away from the crew. "Could be quick, if you wanted it to be, I know you have tannin' to work on." She gives a short laugh and kicks at the sand with her foot, turning back to see how far they were from the others. They were still visible, just as small specks, and definitely couldn't hear them unless someone was snooping about. The hybrid shrugs at the thought before planting her butt in the sand, patting the spot next to it to invite Misha to sit next to her.
When Misha sits, she starts. "So... About that trip to Acheron... I was actually there right?" She sounded genuinely unsure. "When I think about it the memory is so foggy, kinda like it was a dream, but... Not, a-and I remember that guy, Ti... Mister T, or something, touch my temple, and I saw some shit. It felt all like a really weird trip. I mean, it was okay, really, since you were there, you made it okay, but could you... elaborate on that? What that was? I think you and Carrhae talked about it? But I had no ****in' idea what you two were goin' on about. A-and what that scientist dude said about me." Kali turned to Misha, a mixture of confusion apparent on her face. "Please?"
Aeyd of the Dragons || Wood Elf / Way of the Ascendant Dragon Monk
Demetrios Zalaoras || Protector Aasimar / Paladin of Torm
Hawke || Kalashtar / Circle of the Moon Druid
Morticia || Half-Aasimar Rogue
Yvan || Goliath / Path of the Wild Soul Barbarian | Paladin of Helm
/ᐠ。ꞈ。ᐟ\
When Sloop comes out of the water Wolf cannot help but stare at the young man. Leaning over a whispering to Sana he says, "Is it just me...or has Sloop done some serious growing. I swear he wasn't that handsome a couple months ago." Knowing the wink wasn't for him Wolf cannot help but feel a blush creep over his face as his tail start to wag.
Misha was quiet the whole time Kali spoke. The sand was hot, the water a pleasant temperature. Being with Kali relaxed Misha, and she looked at her and smiled as she requested information on the day of her promotion. If only Misha had all the answers. She sat down close, next to her, and stared out into the ocean trying to explain it to her. She could feel the sun bathe her chest, her stomach, and she leaned back a bit, propped up in her hands.
"Yes, you were there. I know eet was probably a lot to take een." she smiled. "But, yes, it was all real. You saw my world, you were part of ritual - a promotion. You probably saw many small samples in your mind of what was, and what might be." she explained, "Taetanicus is a powerful man, a man of great wisdom. He ees the closest thing I have to a father. Part of promotion ees inhaling the Incense. The Incense of Vision is a tradition among my people during a promotion of a Prime." she said. "It's one reason why Taetanicus ees able to have a..geeft of foresight. Primes are able to parteeceepate as well, not just Legion Commanders. The smoke is ancient, used on leaders of my world. I know not where eet comes from, but once inhaled, eet interacts weeth mind of Acheronian - so sometimes are able to..see theengs." she waves her hand in the air, as if gesturing towards the future. "It should not affect you directly after the day you were there, but..for me..ees deefrent. To Acheronian Commanders, it helps us..react to future, to whatever the smoke shows us. Sometimes we see good, sometimes..we see bad. Eet ees a way to..prepare. Eet was the way we were able to prophesize war weeth Hell."
Misha wanted to tell Kali about the vision she had last night but decided not to. Misha hid her concern. The smoke, wrapped around her brain, was beginning to work it's properties on her, and what she saw was concerning. It was not a good future of Acheron she was seeing, but a bad one. A very bad one. Perhaps this was what Taetanicus wanted her to see. But what scared Misha the most was that the forecoming return of Praxia the Betrayer would mean the death of her world. Instead, she said something else.
"You are special to me." she admitted. "Eet ees not common for my people to love one another, we more act like brothers and sisters - like how I see rest of crew. But you are deefrent to me. My heart pounds eenside chest when I see you, close to you. You are my Zhelaniye - my desire." she looked down and giggled at the sand, unbelievably shy, and she couldn't understand why.
While Misha was talking, Kali brought her knees closer to her chest, resting her chin on it while she stared out into the ocean and simply listened. Her visit was very much real and she met Taetanicus and helped Misha get promoted. How or why he allowed an outsider to do such a thing would be a question that would linger at the back of her mind for a while. Maybe he liked her? Kali inwardly laughed at her joke, a small smile tugged at her lips but fell soon after the paladin had finished. "I am pretty special," She quips with a chuckle before stealing a quick glance at the red-head. "I guess you could say I feel the same about you, red." A soft smile could be seen forming on her lips as she stretches her legs out, planting her hands behind her back to help prop herself up (if Misha's hand was placed on the sand, she would purposefully put her hand over it). "Probably so interested in me because I'm different from what you've seen, yeah? No other blue tentacle spoutin' cyclopes that caught your attention in the other missions you've been on? ... There anyone else you've been with that I should watch out for? Don't want a crazy ex to come and jump me, you know?"
Aeyd of the Dragons || Wood Elf / Way of the Ascendant Dragon Monk
Demetrios Zalaoras || Protector Aasimar / Paladin of Torm
Hawke || Kalashtar / Circle of the Moon Druid
Morticia || Half-Aasimar Rogue
Yvan || Goliath / Path of the Wild Soul Barbarian | Paladin of Helm
/ᐠ。ꞈ。ᐟ\
Misha felt Kali's hand on hers, and her fingers intertwined with Kali's. Kali had a sense of humor Misha enjoyed, and she laughed at the notion of her words. "Yes, Zhelaniye, you are very deefrent than what I am used to. I theenk that ees why..I like you very much."
Suddenly, she had a moment of guilt, it was brief but it was there in her heart. Another time, another place, there was Natasha. What did she used to call her? Sunflower?
Natasha..
Misha held Kali's hand tighter, swallowed hard and tried to hide the fact her heart swelled with affection remembering a time long ago, and things that could of been. She returned to the present, felt the warmth and grip of Kali's hand, and he heart refocused on what she had now, and the potential of today, of the blue muscular beautiful sitting next to her. Again, her heart began to pound.
"No," she finally said. "No crazy..ex." she strained, smiling at Kali, hoping she used the unfamiliar word in reply.
Sana glances at Sloop and laughs briefly. "I suppose you could say so," she agrees with Wolf. "He's still pretty young, though. But good luck if you're interested!" She winks and sets off for the beach, looking for Chandor, resolving that she's going to find out what's going on with the quiet ranger this time.
Stella Diamant, Human Rogue 17 (Swashbuckler), The Exploits of Misfit Company
Kat, Medtech, Cyberpunk: Red
Shi, Changeling Bard 4 (College of Spirits), Tyrant's Grasp
Dani, Human Artificer 9 (Armorer), Skulls and Starships
DM, Project Point (Teams Scimitar and Longsword)
Everything Else!
Wolf goes to say something about only being three years older but Sana is already gone before the words are out of his mouth. He stands there for a few minutes deciding if this tree is worth barking up. Eventually landing on its at least worth a yap or two and if no interest no foul. Wolf walks over and tells Sloop. “Just because we’re on vacation doesn’t mean the chief or the assistant are off. Get ready I’m going to teach you how to BBQ some and at least some basic drinks mixed.”
As everyone goes off to do their own thing, Carrhae just flips over, applies some of Misha's lotion on her, rests her head on her hands, and takes a nap. As she sleeps, she has a rather pleasant dream about Misha telling the crew about MacCabbee's and all of them getting something called a burger that sounded absolutely fattening. Carrhae also snored, but fortunately none of her crew was there to hear, as they were either flying high, trying to chat up someone they were interested in, or having a romantic conversation while she was alone.
Xenophon: Topaz Dragonborn Fighter (ixi's Dragon of Icespire Peak)
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After Misha had answered, Kali laid her head on the others shoulder, taking a few minutes to enjoy her company with the sounds of crashing waves in the back. It felt like forever since the last time they had a moment alone to themselves to just enjoy each others presence. Either someone would interrupt or they would be caught up doing something for the ship or heading out on a mission with the crew, the two seldom had moments alone that weren't them pouncing on one another to the point of exhaustion. Talking like this? It was... nice. Something different from the norm and Kali wished they had more times like these. She would abuse this moment for as long as she could til she would return back to the others and maybe have a bonfire of sorts.
But now wasn't the time for future thinking.
She heard the swallow, felt the tightening grip on her hand, and paid attention to how it took Misha a moment to finally give her an answer. "So, what was her name?" She asks nonchalantly, resting her head on Misha's shoulder. "...What was she like?"
Aeyd of the Dragons || Wood Elf / Way of the Ascendant Dragon Monk
Demetrios Zalaoras || Protector Aasimar / Paladin of Torm
Hawke || Kalashtar / Circle of the Moon Druid
Morticia || Half-Aasimar Rogue
Yvan || Goliath / Path of the Wild Soul Barbarian | Paladin of Helm
/ᐠ。ꞈ。ᐟ\
Misha closed her eyes and smiled.
It was a combination of two things, the gentle loving conversation with Kali - how she rested her head on her round shoulder, and thinking back to her second mission on a world called Atlas. It was a while before she spoke again, savoring the memory and the feelings it made her remember. "Natasha." Misha whispered, almost to herself. She opened her eyes and stared at the ocean as she spoke. The memories lingered in her mind, as if it was yesterday. Misha remembered fondly the memories she could, like a mental collage of dreams.
Natasha looked over to the red headed woman, a confused look coming across her features as she spoke, taking definite note of her foreign accent. Fire skies, red clouds... huh? Why was she looking at me—
"No, am hitting small lizard creatures! Am simply compliment! Cheeks are red like sky back home!"
She runs over to Natasha and does her best to deflect the incoming bomb explosion with her shield. She then heaves her hammer at the closest kobold. "Danger in all directions, little sunflower, but not worry, Misha have big shield!"
Misha ran over to Natasha, looked her over quickly. "Do not worry, sunflower, by the Will of Bane you shall be healed to continue fighting. Do not be scared. Hold still, little one.." Misha planted her shield into the ground quickly, and her hands began to glow red and vibrant. She closed her eyes and placed her hands on Natasha's shoulders, healing her.
Natasha groaned in pain at the paladin's touch as the healing at first stung, then slowly felt pretty good. At least now the ranger was better than before, and not at all dead. Green eyes glanced over to meet with Misha's. "I... T-thank you, Misha, you... You didn't have to do that." As she was helped up, Natasha' picked up and holstered her bow, grabbing her handaxe from her tool belt. "M-my name is Natasha, by the way."
Misha’s eyes went a bit wide. "Natasha! A beautiful name. It is honor to fight with you. When battle over, tell me secret about how to get curls like ones of your hair. But first, we fight!!” She lets out a laugh that would make anyone smile.
Looking over the others, Misha was pleased to see everyone was ok, despite the grim tone of the healer. She took a moment to kneel by Natasha. “Are you alright, little sunflower? Here will be safe, no worry. Your wounds are healed, and we make new friends! Come, soon, I wish to buy you drink!”
She helped Natasha collect arrows, noticing how tired she was. "Today you did well, little kitten! Come, I see you have a bit tired - can see it in eyes. It's ok. Here, I help you. Rest. When you feel better with more vigor we can have drink, and maybe talk more, ya? Misha always be here." She brushed Natasha's cheek with her hand, reassuring her everything would be ok.
Lost of the memories of the past, a large gentle wave brought Misha back to the present.
"She was beautiful." Misha breathed. "Shy, her eyes green, full of wonder and hope. She was sweet and affectionate. She was healthy, had curves that would make my heart leap into my throat. Her hair was curly, long, very long, and color..like..sunset, here, on thees world. Ees one reason why I always watch sun go down, because I remember her each time - good, pleasant memories. Unfortunately, Acheron call me back to home, mission on Atlas cut short, and I had to say goodbye."
ACHERON
TWENTY TWO YEARS AGO
She is four. It is time to learn.
Her father lifted her into the night sky. On other worlds, the vision above would be a velvet-black sky, the cold white light of ten thousand stars, or the glorious beauty of a star system. But she is Acheronian, and the sky is not dark and star-studded, it glows with the swirling, lurid bruise of the Eye of Hell that stares back down like a cyclops' orb. The only twinkle comes not from stars, but reflected starlight catching the metal from the War Machines down far below. She started to tense. Sometimes the eye is purple, sometimes green, sometimes darker patches of unnamed color. Her father's voice brought her back.
"That," the father said, "is the Eye of Hell. The gateway of our enemy," he hissed. "We are the first line of defense that keeps them at bay. That is why they hate us."
"All of us?" the girl asked.
"All" he says.
There was a long pause as she stared upwards. "Even the Primes?"
"Yes," he told her. "Even the Primes."
There was a pause. She tasted blood in her throat. She wiped her nose and her finger came away smeared with red. She couldn't stop staring into the Eye even though she felt sick. She knows this is a test that she must pass, and she will not give up.
"Does he hate me?" she asked, sniffing the blood back.
"Yes. Asmodeus hates you."
There is another pause. "He wants to take our world from us?"
His voice was close to her ear. She could feel the breath of his words on her skin and in the tangled curls of her red hair. He was passing on what he learned as a child. "Asmodeus wants our world to burn."
Vomit rose in her throat. She swallowed the bile back, and stared deep into the darkest pits of the iris as if looking for a face there, a being to whom she could address her words. At first she saw nothing but then - there! - in the darkest patches of purple light, there was a plume of red clouds.
"What do you see?" Taetanicus demanded, but she could not speak as she gasped for breath. His fingers were tight. "Speak, child. Have faith! Bane protects!"
The breath came with a sudden shock as blood begins to drip from her nostrils. "A face!" she said, her voice beginning to break with fear. She squirmed for a moment. She wanted this to stop, but his hands were firm on her arms and he held her up a little longer.
"That is Asmodeus!" he tells her, symbolizing, and lifts her higher into the air. "What do you want to say to him, who hates us all and wants to burn our world?"
Blood began to pour from her nostrils. She would not look away. She would not give up. "Never," she says.
"I cannot hear you."
"Never!" she says, louder this time.
"Tell him!"
The child shouted up into the night sky. "Never! Never!"
The father brought his daughter down and held her tight against the chest sections of his massive battle armor. "Well done, child." he said, and felt relief. It was not easy to expose a child to such things. He watched his daughter walk back into Banehold.
He was Legion Commander Taetanicus, Lord of the Primes, and a father - so to speak.
He had done his duty.
For Misha, the true test was yet to come.
As Carrhae's nap continued, she had more dreams. She dreamt of a young girl, who couldn't be more than 16. She was pale, skinny, and dressed in black, but still pretty. The girl was wandering alone under a moonlight sky, carrying a sword covered in ice. Occasionally the girl would get attacked by undead, or goblins, or some other monster that enjoyed attacking travelers on the road, but she was able to fight them all off. Her dream ended as she saw the girl approach a tower where a small army was camping out. It looked like it was going to rain.
Her other dream was that she was being attacked by a kraken, but instead of trying to eat her, it was content to simply tickle her with it's tentacles. She woke up in a start, swinging a sword that she didn't have. And she was now incredibly curious. Who was the pale girl? Why did she dream about her? Where was the tower? And why did she dream about getting tickled by a kraken? It's been weeks since the last time I got high, so that can't be the cause of the dreams.
She decided to find Misha, since she was having dreams that carried some form of importance lately. Maybe she could help her understand the cause of her dreams. Well, the one about the pale girl, anyway.
Xenophon: Topaz Dragonborn Fighter (ixi's Dragon of Icespire Peak)
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The way Misha had said her ex's name so softly, as if it were taboo to speak of her, caused a somber smile to form on Kali's face. She paid attention to Misha's tone of voice when she finally talked about her, how she described her, how she still remembers her, and how, even now, there was still love laced within her words when speaking of her. Kali wondered, just for a moment, that when she is sent off again for another mission for her world and asked of this question, would she be described the same way? With love still swelling in Misha's heart. "When you go... Will you look out at the oceans of the different planes and worlds and remember me?" The inquiry fell out so naturally past her lips, as if it was a question that she needed to be answered. Normally she wouldn't bother with a question like that, she gave up shit like this years ago, but Misha was different, special in the hybrids eyes. She would take it back, but she says nothing further, only giving Misha's hand a gentle squeeze while she waits for her answer.
Aeyd of the Dragons || Wood Elf / Way of the Ascendant Dragon Monk
Demetrios Zalaoras || Protector Aasimar / Paladin of Torm
Hawke || Kalashtar / Circle of the Moon Druid
Morticia || Half-Aasimar Rogue
Yvan || Goliath / Path of the Wild Soul Barbarian | Paladin of Helm
/ᐠ。ꞈ。ᐟ\
Misha smiled, and squeezed Kali's hand tightly.
"They say that," she explained, "those that share the Incense of Vision ceremony sometimes share memories between the parteeceepants, so not only weel I remember you, YOU will also remember me. You weel always be a part of me, now, and I, a part of you."
Her stomach tightened in desire for Kali, and even though they were alone on the beach half naked, Misha felt like they still couldn't get further away from everything to be alone.
Kali drew comfort from Misha's words, falling silent once again to enjoy the sound of the waves lapping at the shore and the sight of the sun ever so slowly dipping past the horizon. They stayed like that for just a few minutes longer until the hybrid lifted her head from Misha's shoulder, eyeing the red head closely and noted at how the setting sun had accented her facial features, and when she turns to look at Kali, perhaps to ask why she pulled away, there was no hesitating from the barbarian in pulling her into a soft kiss. It was a peck, gentle, sweet, but filled with the love Kali had gown for her the past months they've been together. She kissed her again, and again, each one slowly increasing in intensity before Kali finally pressed her free hand on the others shoulder to push her back on the sand and climb on her, connecting their lips once again, but this time in passion, desire, and need. She didn't pull away this time.
Aeyd of the Dragons || Wood Elf / Way of the Ascendant Dragon Monk
Demetrios Zalaoras || Protector Aasimar / Paladin of Torm
Hawke || Kalashtar / Circle of the Moon Druid
Morticia || Half-Aasimar Rogue
Yvan || Goliath / Path of the Wild Soul Barbarian | Paladin of Helm
/ᐠ。ꞈ。ᐟ\
Carrhae found Misha with Kali, appearing to be in the middle of a conversation. She waited from a distance until it seemed like they had finished speaking and making out before approaching the two.
"Hello. I'm sorry if I'm intruding on the two of you, but I had a rather strange dream and I think you might be able to help me Misha, since you had an odd dream of your own rather recently, if I recall correctly. I dreamt that I saw a young girl that I had never saw before. She was pale, thin, and dressed all in black. She had a sword coated in ice that she used to slay all sorts of monsters with and she was wandering in the night until she came to some tower that had a small army around it. Do you know what the meaning of this might be? Has she appeared in your dreams or one of the Acheronian prophecies?"
Carrhae sits down as she waits for Misha's response, extending her feet towards Kali. "Could I ask you to massage my feet? I could massage yours while you do so, if you like. And Misha can tell you about how good I am as a masseuse."
Xenophon: Topaz Dragonborn Fighter (ixi's Dragon of Icespire Peak)
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As she leaned away, Misha slowly turned to look at Kali, and her heart wanted to explode out of her chest as Kali leaned in and kissed her. The feeling of her face so close to Misha's and their lips pressing against each other caused a surge of pleasure in her body, and Misha hoped she would kiss her again. And, she did. Despite Kali's ferocity in battle, the hybrid was a wonderful kisser. A fire unlike anything Acheron had seen threatened to erupt from Misha's loins, and this particular moment in time could have lasted forever as far as she was concerned. Kali laid on her, and the sensation of their hands roaming and petting their bodies caused Misha to moan Kali's name in her mouth as they explored their mouths with their t-
Misha could feel someone watching, and slowly turned her head.
That's when Carrhae approached.
Sloop nods in excitement about Wolf's offer of teaching him how to BBQ and make some mixed drinks. "My mum has always been the cook in our household, and she always shooed us kids out of the kitchen when we offered to help, so I don't even know how to make burnt toast! Can I hold off for a couple hours, though? I've got an errand I need to run in the local town."
And with that, Sloop ambles off to his hammock, picks up a large bag of gold, and runs off into the island.
Returning a few hours later, he has a strange skip in his step, and he's whistling away like he just had the best day of his young life. His clothes are all ruffled up, and there are lipstick kiss marks all over his fur. As he boards the Belle, you notice that his usual rapier + dagger combo has been replaced by two rapiers, tucked neatly away in their scabbards.
After dropping off all his equipment by his hammock, he joins Wolf up on the main deck of the Belle, eager for his cooking and drink mixology lesson.
Last to know and first to be blamed...
As a free action, can I regret my life choices?